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Pseudopanax crassifolius

lancewood

P. crassifolius is an evergreen tree to 15m, remaining unbranched for many years, with stiff, narrow, downward-pointing, dark green, leathery leaves up to 90cm long, with red midribs and spine-tipped teeth. Mature plants develop a rounded head and palmate leaves up to 20cm long. Umbels of star-shaped, greenish-white flowers are produced in summer and early autumn, followed on female plants by black berries

Other common names
horoeka
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green White Green
Autumn Green White Green Black
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Araliaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Pseudopanax are upright evergreen shrubs or trees, with simple or palmate leaves, often with a distinct juvenile form; inconspicuous green flowers, the sexes usually on separate trees, may be followed on female plants by berry-like fruits

Name status

Correct

Plant range
New Zealand

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny or part-shaded position with shelter from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn or spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings or by air layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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